In response to numerous highway projects which have the potential to affect bald eagles, Mags Rheude from the TCFO has initiated collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to develop an Avian Protection Plan (APP).

The Twin Cities Field Office in Bloomington, Minnesota has become involved in commenting on a transmission line that will cross the Minnesota River, in south-central Minnesota. Of issue at this proposed crossing is large concentration of wintering bald eagles.

In response to numerous highway projects which have the potential to affect bald eagles, Mags Rheude from the TCFO has initiated collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to develop an Avian Protection Plan (APP).

October 18, 2010:Twin Cities Field Office and the Migratory Birds Program Work Together to Fill Gaps in Bald and Golden Eagle Data

In response to state agencies reducing eagle surveys and nest databases, as well as the need to identify eagle wintering areas, Migratory Birds and three field offices (Twin Cities, East Lansing, and Rock Island) have teamed up to fill in the gaps of this much needed information.

Eleven young whooping cranes yesterday began their ultralight-led migration from central Wisconsin’s Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This is the tenth group of birds to take part in a landmark project led by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), an international coalition of public and private groups that is reintroducing this highly imperiled species in eastern North America, part of its historic range. There are now approximately 96 whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North America thanks to WCEP’s efforts.

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) is celebrating another success in its efforts to reintroduce a wild migratory whooping crane population in eastern North America. Two wild-hatched whooping crane chicks have recently fledged, or become capable of flight. This is only the second time in over a century that naturally produced whooping cranes have fledged in the wild in the Midwest. Read more >>

Each spring, Endangered Species day provides opportunities to celebrate our heritage of fish, wildlife, and plants and the ecosystems on which they depend. For the fifth year, the Fish and Wildlife Service will observe Endangered Species Day by recognizing the importance of endangered and threatened species and focusing attention on what we can do to save them.

Last year's activities may provide inspiration for this year. They included patrolling sea turtle nesting sites, hiking scout trails to observe bats at night, paddling rivers to look for Appalachian elktoe mussels, planting native trees at refuges, releasing Puerto Rican toad tadpoles, participating in games such as the "Louisiana black bear maze," removing invasive plants, touring parks, enjoying presentations at zoos and libraries, and taking part in a national art contest sponsored by the Endangered Species Coalition.

February 09, 2010:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wind Farm Owners Work Together

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the owners of the Fowler Ridge I Wind Farm in Benton County, Ind. have announced they are working together to develop a plan to reduce the potential impacts of wind power generation on bats. The effort follows the discovery of a dead Indiana bat at the wind facility.

January 4, 2010:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Request for Proposals for Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Projects

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recently announced a request for project proposals to protect, restore and enhance Great Lakes fish habitat under the Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Partnership (Partnership).